Court Remands Gabam Over Alleged Mismanagement Of SDP Funds

An FCT Chief Magistrate Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of the former National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam, over allegations bordering on criminal misappropriation, breach of trust, and forgery linked to party finances.

Gabam appeared before Chief Magistrate Amauche Onyedium alongside Chukwuma Ogbonna Uchechukwu in suit No. DCC/10/2026 following a direct criminal complaint filed by the current SDP National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar, under the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

During the proceedings, counsel to the complainant requested more time to respond to the bail application submitted by the defendants.

The court, however, granted Gabam bail in the sum of N3 million with two sureties who must own landed property within Abuja.

He was also directed to surrender his international passport to the court registrar pending the conclusion of the trial.The matter was subsequently adjourned until May 25 for further hearing.

Speaking with journalists after the court session, Abubakar said the party resorted to legal action after several petitions submitted to relevant authorities allegedly failed to yield any response.

He claimed that financial records and bank statements had earlier been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to probe alleged irregularities in the party’s finances.

According to him, an audit carried out under the former leadership showed that the party generated about N32 million during the period under review, with nearly N31 million allegedly unaccounted for.

Abubakar further alleged that party officials later uncovered documents connected to two bank accounts with transactions estimated at about N740 million, raising concerns over accountability and transparency in the management of party funds.

He also stated that petitions were submitted to agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS), but alleged that no decisive action was taken.

The SDP leadership thereafter initiated direct criminal proceedings before the court.Gabam, alongside National Youth Leader Ogbonna Uchechukwu and National Auditor Clarkson Nnadi, had earlier been suspended by the party over allegations of financial misconduct and abuse of office.

Following investigations by a disciplinary committee, the party’s National Working Committee adopted the committee’s recommendations and approved the expulsion of Gabam and Uchechukwu.

Some SDP state chairmen also supported the decision, accusing the former leadership of allegedly diverting close to N1 billion belonging to the party.

The current leadership of the party insists that the legal action is part of efforts to restore accountability, transparency, and discipline within the SDP.